Wig

ABSTRACT

A wig with a band. The band has a length, a width, an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface engages a user&#39;s head with the wig operatively positioned on the user&#39;s head. The outside surface has hair strands strategically projecting therefrom. The band is configured to extend around the user&#39;s head to overlie a scalp region extending from the user&#39;s forehead to behind each of the user&#39;s ears leaving an open top at which the user&#39;s scalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned. The user&#39;s natural hair, if any exists, can be blended with the strands on the body with the wig operatively positioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to wigs and, more particularly, to a wigconstruction that allows hair to be placed locally over an area or areaswhere there has been hair loss or at which hair is naturally thin.

2. Background Art

Wigs have been worn for decades for many different reasons. Some wearersenjoy the convenience of donning a wig to allow instantaneous selectionof a hair style and/or color without the inconvenience associated withmaintaining and styling the wearer's natural hair. The wigs may be wornover the wearer's natural hair that may have a substantial length.Alternatively, a wearer may choose to closely crop his/her hair to allowa closer conformance of the wig to the wearer's scalp.

Wigs worn in this fashion do have some drawbacks. One of the mostsignificant problems with wigs is that they tend to shift on a wearer'shead, particularly when the wearer engages in certain activities and/oris exposed to the elements, such as high winds, etc.

One attempted solution to this problem is to tightly conform thehead-engaging surface on the wig to the wearer's head. A certain amountof elasticity may be built into the wig to accommodate some sizevariation. However, head sizes may vary significantly from one wearer tothe next. It is not practical to keep on hand all hair styles and colorsin the many anticipated sizes that may be needed. Thus, inventorycontrol becomes problematic. From the standpoint of the purveyor, excessinventory of certain wig styles and colors may remain on hand; whereas,from a consumer standpoint, desired styles and colors may not beavailable, whereby the potential purchaser is left with the options ofeither not making the purchase or settling for a product that is lessthan optimal.

A further problem with this design is that the head-engaging layer, ifstretchable, may eventually lose its memory. The material may stretch tothe point that it is no longer practical to wear the wig, whichnecessitates a further purchase. This problem is aggravated when the wigis worn over lengthy hair and subsequently worn over hair that has beencut to a significantly shorter length. The wig may stretch permanentlyto accommodate the mass of longer hair and may thereafter fit looselyupon the wearer's head with the hair cropped.

In short, it is very difficult to make available to consumers a range ofhairstyles and colors in wigs that will snugly embrace a wearer's headwithout uncomfortable pressure over a relatively lengthy useful life.

Oftentimes, persons will have localized hair loss or thinning hair,whereas the hair may be relatively full at other areas. This conditionmay be the result of natural hair loss or hair loss induced by use oftopical chemicals or chemicals used during medical treatment.

Heretofore, the main option to address such conditions has been to weara full wig that covers not only the troubled areas but the areas wherethere is thick hair. An individual may opt to closely crop all ofhis/her hair or leave the natural hair at a substantial length.

In the latter case, one contends with the difficulty of avoidingshifting of the wig on the head. In the former case, the cutting of thehair commits the individual to either wearing a wig at all times orexposing hair that is cut to a length that is much less than desirable.

By wearing a full wig, the wearer also contends with other problemsassociated with the full coverage of the scalp region. That is,provision must be made to prevent shifting of the wig. Further, the wig,regardless of its construction, causes some level of discomfort in termsof irritation and confining heat on the user's head.

The industry continues to seek out wig designs that overcome one or moreof the above problems. Notwithstanding this effort, in a very matureindustry, at least the above problems persist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, the invention is directed to a wig including a bandconsisting of a body and having a length, a width, an inside surface andan outside surface. The inside surface engages a user's head with thewig operatively positioned on a user's head. The outside surface hashair strands strategically projecting therefrom. The band is configuredto extend around a user's head to overlie a scalp region extending froma user's forehead to behind each of a user's ears, leaving an open topat which a user's scalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned.A user's natural hair can be blended with the hair strands on the bodywith the wig operatively positioned.

In one form, the body extends continuously through 360°.

In one form, the body has spaced ends and the wig further includesconnecting structure for drawing the spaced body ends towards each otherto bear the body snugly against a user's head with the wig operativelypositioned.

In one form, the connecting structure includes first and secondcomponents, connected one each to the spaced body ends, that can bejoined to each other.

In one form, the first and second components are releasably joinable toeach other.

In one form, the first and second components are releasably joinable toeach other in a manner to selectively vary an effective diameter of theband with the wig operatively positioned.

In one form, the band is made at least partially from an elasticmaterial that allows the length of the band to be changed.

In one form, the band consists of a first material which defines atleast a part of the inside surface, and a second material, that isdifferent than the first material, which defines at least a part of theoutside surface.

In one form, the second material is a mesh material into which the hairstrands are woven.

In one form, the mesh material defines substantially the entire outsidesurface that extends continuously through 360°.

In one form, the body defines the outside surface that extendscontinuously through 360° and the mesh material defines a majority, butless than all, of the outside surface.

In one form, the body has a width of 1-4 inches.

In one form, the body has a substantially uniform width.

In one form, the body has a non-uniform width.

In one form, the first material is a softer material than the secondmaterial to be non-abrasive against a user's scalp.

In one form, the first material makes up a part of the outside surfaceof the body.

In one form, the invention is directed to a method of using a wig, asdescribed above, to strategically cover scalp regions of a user wherethere is thinned or no hair. The method includes the steps of:operatively placing the wig on the user's head so that the outsidesurface with the hair strands overlies at least one of: a) a frontforehead region; and b) opposite side regions of a user's head; andafter operatively placing the wig, blending a user's natural hair withthe hair strands on the band.

In one form, the body extends continuously through 360° and is elasticto define a diameter that is variable. The step of operatively placingthe wig involves stretching the band from a relaxed diameter to a largerdiameter. With the band in the larger diameter, the band is placedaround the user's head. The band is thereafter placed so that the bandtends, by reason of elasticity, from the larger diameter towards therelaxed diameter to thereby snugly embrace the user's head.

In one form, the body has spaced ends and the wig further includes aconnecting structure consisting of first and second components,connected one each to the spaced body ends. The step of operativelyplacing the wig involves placing the band strategically on the user'shead and thereafter reconfiguring the first and second components tothereby draw the spaced body ends towards each other to thereby causethe band to snugly embrace the user's head.

In one form, the inside surface is made of a first material and theoutside surface is made of a second material that is different than thefirst material. The second material is a mesh material into which thehair strands are woven. The first material is softer than the secondmaterial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user's head with natural head on thetop of the scalp and showing regions around the scalp where there is anabsence of hair or hair thinning;

FIG. 2 is a view as in FIG. 1 wherein one form of wig is operativelypositioned on the user's head, the wig having a band for extendingaround the user's head and shown with hair strands omitted from the bandfor clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wig in FIG. 2 and showing only aportion thereof with hair strands incorporated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion of the wig within the circlein FIG. 3 and showing hair strands woven into the band;

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 2 with the hair strands woven into the band;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 5 wherein the strands on the wig and user'snatural hair have been blended in a first style;

FIG. 7 is a view as in FIG. 6 wherein the user's natural hair and wighair strands have been blended in a second style;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of wig band, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 2 showing a modified form of wig band withthe hair strands omitted for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 9 with hair strands incorporated;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a modified form of wig andincorporating cooperating components that snug a band on the wig againsta user's head;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the cooperating components inFIG. 11 and showing further detail thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further modified form of wig band;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user's head with no natural hairthereon and a wig thereon preparatory to styling;

FIG. 15 is a view as in FIG. 14 wherein the hair strands on the wig havebeen repositioned to produce one style;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of wig;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a method of using the wigs, asshown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a wig incorporating asupplemental holding structure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a wig band incorporating one specificform of supplemental holding structure; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another wig band incorporating analternative construction for a supplemental holding structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a condition is shown on the head 10 of a wig user 12 whereinthe scalp 14 has regions whereat the user's hair is locally thin oraltogether absent. For purposes of simplicity, the “scalp”, as usedherein, will be considered the entire surface area on the user's headwhere hair typically grows, including on front, top, side, and backregions. There are many different potential causes for this condition,amongst which are the repetitive use of strong topical chemicals andtreatment for certain medical conditions that utilize medicines thatcause hair loss.

As seen in FIG. 1, the regions at which hair thinning/loss is mostcommon is at 16—at the sides of the user's head in the vicinity of eachear 18. Significant hair loss/thinning may also occur at the foreheadregion 20 of the scalp 14. It is less common, but possible, for there tobe hair loss also in the region at the back of the scalp 14, as shown at22.

As shown in FIG. 1, a full growth of natural hair 24 may remain intactat the top region 26 on the user's scalp 14.

In FIGS. 2-7, one form of wig, according to the invention, is shown at30. The wig 30 consists of a band 32 with a body 34 having acircumferential length, as indicated by the double-headed arrow L, and awidth W. The band 32 has an inside surface 36 and an outside surface 38.

The inside surface 36 engages the user's head 10 with the wig 30operatively positioned, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7.

The outside surface 38 has hair strands 40 strategically projectingtherefrom. The hair strands 40 are incorporated to give the appearanceof natural hair. In FIGS. 2 and 3, hair strands 40 have been omitted toallow the structure of the band 32 to be more clearly seen anddescribed.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the band 32 is configured to extendaround the user's head 10 to overlie a scalp region extending from auser's forehead 42 to behind each of the user's ears 18, leaving an opentop 44 at which a user's scalp 14 is exposed with the wig 30 operativelypositioned.

In this embodiment, the body 34 extends continuously through 360°. Thebody 34 is preferably made with at least portions that are elastic toallow the length L of the body 34 to be changed.

In this embodiment, the body 34 is made using at least two layers. Themulti-layer construction can extend fully or partially around the lengthof the body 34. The inside surface 36 is defined at least partially by afirst material that has a soft feel so as not to irritate the user'sscalp 14. The material may be selected from those commonly used to makehead-engaging surfaces on headwear and headbands on headwear.

The layer that defines the outside surface 38 is shown to be a meshmaterial 46 into which the strands 40 can be woven, as shown mostclearly in FIG. 4. The multi-layer construction allows the materialmaking up the inside surface to be softer than that to which the hairstrands 40 can be readily woven.

The mesh material 46 may define all or only part of the outside surface38. In this embodiment, the mesh material 46 extends only partiallyaround the circumference of the body 34 between locations L1, L2. Anoutside surface portion 48 overlies a back scalp region that normallydoes not need to be augmented with hair and thus can be made from amaterial, such as that defining the inside surface 36, or anothermaterial, that does not lend itself as readily to hair strandattachment. In this embodiment, the mesh material 46 defines a majorityof the outside surface 38. Generally, the mesh material 46 is providedwherever hair strands 40 are required. This may be over any size andshape of area. For example, if only bangs are needed, the mesh material46 can be provided at a limited circumferential extent of the front ofthe band 32. As another example, if a spot at only one side of theuser's head requires hair augmentation, the mesh material can be customformed to overlie that area. Of course, hair strands 40 do not have tobe provided over the entire area of the mesh material, which mightdefine, for example, the entire outside surface 38.

The outside surface portion 48 may be made more elastic than the partmade from mesh material. This allows the effective diameter of the band32 to enlarge principally by circumferentially stretching of the surfaceportion 48. This allows the mesh material to have a substantiallyconstant exposed area so as not to diminish the density of the strands40. However, the invention contemplates that the mesh material 46 mightalso elongate substantially as the band 32 is enlarged in diameter.

The body 34 has a width preferably in the range of 1-4 inches. However,this range should not be viewed as limiting. The width may be customizedto the particular scalp condition. The wig 30 might be offered withdifferent band widths for stock supply. In this embodiment, the width Wis shown to be substantially uniform around the full circumference ofthe body 34.

The location of the woven strands 40, their density, and length are alldictated by the particular scalp condition. For example, the strands 40may be incorporated to produce principally bangs, as shown in FIG. 5.Alternatively, the strands 40 could be longer to match the length of theuser's natural hair 50 at the top of the scalp. In the event bangs areformed, the strands 40 can be blended with the user's natural hair 50,as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the longer strands 40 can be blendedas shown in FIG. 7.

The invention contemplates any strand length and combination of strandlengths to be woven into the body 34.

By incorporating the non-mesh material at the outside surface portion48, and potentially using a material with a lesser frictionalcoefficient, the user's natural hair 40 is allowed to move slidinglythereagainst without hanging up, as might cause undesired bunchingthereat.

As noted above, the strands 40 can be strategically applied in terms oftheir length and location to produce the desired style and blending withthe user's natural hair 50. This may involve using a combination oflonger and shorter strands 40 and strategic placement of longer andshorter strands 40 at different heights and lengthwise locations.

While the multi-layer construction is preferred, particularly to allow asofter and less abrasive material to be placed against a user's scalp14, a single layer construction could also be utilized.

While the body 34 is shown with a substantially constant width, theinvention contemplates an alternative construction. As shown in FIG. 8,a modified form of body 34′ has a varying width along its length. Anarrower width W1 may be provided at the forehead region 20, whereas awider width W2 may be provided around the ear region where there isanticipated normally to be more significant hair loss/thinning. Thevariation shown in FIG. 8 is only exemplary in form, as the inventioncontemplates that the body 34′ could be customized to an individualuser's particular scalp condition to strategically locally cover regionswhere there is hair loss/thinning.

A further variation of the wig is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 at 30″. Thewig 30″ has a body 34″ with an outside surface 38″ that is made entirelyof the mesh material 46. Hair strands 40, which have been omitted inFIG. 9 to more clearly show the body 34″, may be woven partially orfully around the circumference of the body 34″. As shown in FIG. 10, thestrands 40 extend fully around the body circumference and are blendedwith the user's natural hair 50 once the wig 30″ is operativelypositioned.

In an alternative form, as shown schematically in FIG. 11, the body 34′″has a non-continuous construction with spaced ends 54, 56. Connectingstructure at 58, consisting of first and second separate components 60,62, is incorporated. The first component 60 is connected to the end 54,with the second component 62 connected to the end 56. The components 60,62 cooperate to draw the spaced body ends 54, 56 towards each other tothereby bear the body 34′″ snugly against the user's head 10 with thewig 30′″ operatively positioned by reducing the effective diameter ofthe band 32′″ defined cooperatively by the body 34′″ and the connectingstructure 58.

The components 60, 62 may be releasably joinable to each other and/orjoinable in a manner whereby they are relatively movable. As oneexample, the components 60, 62 could be joinable straps that are tiedtogether and drawn tightly to snug the body 34′″ against the wearer'shead 10.

As a further alternative, the components 60, 62 could be elastic innature.

The components 60, 62 might be joined as by using cooperating connectorparts 64, 66, as seen in FIG. 12. These connector parts 65, 66 might besnaps, clips, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, etc. The connectorparts 64, 66 may be permanently or releasably joined to each other. Ineither event, it is preferred, but not required, that the connectorparts 64, 66 be joinable in a manner to allow selective variation in theeffective diameter of the band 32′″ that is formed cooperatively by thebody 30′″ and connecting structure 58.

In a further modified form shown in FIG. 13, the inventive band 32″″consists of a body 34″″, similar to the body 34″″, but with ends 54″″,56″″ being joined by a single component 68 extending fully between theends 54″″, 56″″. The component may be permanently fixed or releasablyfixed to one or both of the ends 54″″, 56″″. The component 68 may besubstantially inextensible or elastic in nature. One or more suchcomponents 68 might be incorporated.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the wigs 30, 30′, 30″ might be utilized tocover the user's entire scalp 14 without blending with any of the user'snatural hair. Accordingly, the strands 40 are strategically placed andhave lengths to produce the desired style, with one exemplary styleshown in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 16, a further variation of wig is shown at 30 ^(5′). In thisdesign, the band 32 ^(5′) has a body 34 ^(5′) that is made from a loosenet material 70 that may visibly blend with a user's existing hair. Astrategically identified region of the band body 34 ^(5′) at 72 hasstrands 40 projecting therefrom to overlie an area on a user's scalpwhere there is little or no hair.

While the strands 40 have been described to be woven into place, suchstrands may be otherwise attached in projecting fashion, as by usingadhesives, etc.

The invention also contemplates a method of using a wig, which method isset forth schematically in FIG. 17. More specifically, as shown at block76, the wig, as described in its various forms above, is placed on theuser's head so that the outside surface with the hair strands overliesat least one of: a) a front forehead region; and b) opposite sideregions of a user's head. As shown at block 78, after operativelyplacing the wig, the hair strands on the wig are repositioned. Thisrepositioning may involve blending a user's natural hair with thestrands on the wig or using the wig strands to cover the full scalpregion whereat hair is desired in a preferred style.

The step of operatively placing the wig may involve stretching the bandfrom a relaxed diameter to a larger diameter. With the band in thelarger diameter, the band is placed around the user's head. Thereafter,the band is released so that the band tends, by reason of elasticity,from the larger diameter towards the relaxed diameter to thereby snuglyembrace the user's head.

Alternatively, the step of operatively placing the wig involves placingthe band strategically on the user's head and thereafter reconfiguringcooperating components to thereby draw spaced body ends towards eachother to cause the band to snugly embrace the user's head.

As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the invention also contemplates the use of asupplemental holding structure as shown schematically at 80 for a wigshown at 36′, intended to encompass all of the embodiments disclosedherein, and others. While all of the aforementioned wigs can be shapedand dimensioned to be capable of maintaining themselves upon the user'shead, as an additional safeguard, the supplemental holding structure 80can be utilized.

In FIG. 19, one specific form of supplemental holding structure is shownat 80 ^(6′) on a band 32 ^(6′). The supplemental holding structureconsists of a series of tines 82 that produce a comb-like arrangementthat can be passed through the user's existing hair to produce a holdingforce. In this embodiment, the tines 82 project in cantilever fashionfrom a circumferentially extending base 84 in parallel, spacedrelationship. The tines 82 are shown with a bent configuration thatallows the leading ends 86 thereof to be spaced radially inwardly fromthe inside surface 36 ^(6′). One or more additional comb arrangementscan be placed circumferentially around the band 32 ^(6′).

In this embodiment, the band 32 ^(6′) has a multi-layer constructionwith inside and outside layers 88, 90 joined by stitching 92. The natureof the materials defining the layers is not critical to theincorporation of the supplemental holding structure 80.

In FIG. 20, a further modified form of band 32 ^(7′) is shown with thesupplemental holing structure 80 ^(7′) shown in the form of a discretepatch 94 incorporated into the inside of the band 32 ^(7′). The patch 94has a head-engaging surface 96 that incorporates an adhesive that can bereleasably bonded to the user's head. The size of the patch, its preciseshape, etc. is not critical and can be changed considerably within thescope of the inventive teachings. More than one patch 94 could beutilized.

Alternatively, the surface 96 may be tacky or otherwise have a highcoefficient of friction.

The schematic showing of the supplemental holding structure 80 isintended to incorporate the specific supplemental holding structures 80^(6′) and 80 ^(7′) in FIGS. 19 and 20 and virtually an unlimited numberof different structures that perform a like function.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.

1. A wig comprising: a band with a body having a length, a width betweenspaced top and bottom edges, a front, a rear, an inside surface and anoutside surface, the inside surface engaging a user's head with the wigoperatively positioned on a user's head, the outside surface having hairstrands strategically projecting therefrom between the spaced edges, theband configured to extend around a user's head to overlie a scalp regionextending from a user's forehead to behind each of a user's ears,wherein there is no structure connected at the top body edge so that thebody has an open top bounded by the top body edge at which a user'sscalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned, wherein a user'snatural hair can be blended with the hair strands on the body with thewig operatively positioned, wherein the band comprises a first materialdefining the inside surface at the front of the body and a secondmaterial that is different than the first material and defining at leasta part of the outside surface.
 2. The wig according to claim 1 whereinthe body extends continuously through 360°.
 3. The wig according toclaim 1 wherein the body has a length that is non-continuous with spacedrear ends and the wig further comprises connecting structure for drawingthe spaced rear body ends towards each other at a rear region of awearer's head to bear the body snugly against a user's head with the wigoperatively positioned.
 4. The wig according to claim 3 wherein theconnecting structure comprises first and second components, connectedone each to the spaced body ends, that can be joined to each other. 5.The wig according to claim 4 wherein the first and second components arereleasably joinable to each other.
 6. The wig according to claim 4wherein the first and second components are releasably joinable to eachother in a manner to selectively vary an effective diameter of the bandwith the wig operatively positioned.
 7. The wig according to claim 1wherein the band is made at least partially from an elastic materialthat allows the length of the band to be changed.
 8. The wig accordingto claim 1 wherein the first material defines substantially all of theinside surface and the second material defines substantially all of theoutside surface.
 9. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the secondmaterial is a mesh material into which the hair strands are woven. 10.The wig according to claim 9 wherein the mesh material extendscontinuously through 360°.
 11. The wig according to claim 9 wherein theoutside surface extends continuously through 360° and the mesh materialdefines a majority, but less than all, of the outside surface.
 12. Thewig according to claim 1 wherein the body has a width of 1-4 inches. 13.The wig according to claim 12 wherein the body has a substantiallyuniform width.
 14. The wig according to claim 12 wherein the body has anon-uniform width.
 15. The wig according to claim 9 wherein the firstmaterial comprises a softer material than the second material to benon-abrasive against a user's scalp.
 16. The wig according to claim 9wherein the first material defines a part of the outside surface of thebody.
 17. A method of using a wig as recited in claim 15 tostrategically cover scalp regions of a user where there is thinned or nohair, the method comprising the steps of: operatively placing the wig onthe user's head so that the outside surface with the hair strandsoverlies at least one of: a) a front forehead region; and b) oppositeside regions of a user's head and the first material at the front of thebody is borne against the user's forehead; and after operatively placingthe wig, blending a user's natural hair with the hair strands on theband.
 18. The method of using a wig as recited in claim 17 wherein thebody extends continuously through 360° and is elastic to define adiameter that is variable and the step of operatively placing the wigcomprises stretching the band from a relaxed diameter to a largerdiameter, with the band in the larger diameter placing the band aroundthe user's head, and thereafter releasing the band so that the bandtends by reason of elasticity from the large diameter towards therelaxed diameter to thereby snugly embrace the user's head.
 19. Themethod of using a wig as recited in claim 17 wherein the body has anon-continuous length with spaced rear ends and the wig furthercomprises connecting structure comprising first and second componentsconnected one each to the spaced rear body ends and the step ofoperatively placing the wig comprises placing the band strategically onthe user's head and thereafter reconfiguring the first and secondcomponents at a rear region of the user's head to thereby draw thespaced rear body ends towards each other to thereby cause the band tosnugly embrace the user's head.
 20. (canceled)